This car has been sitting for most of the past 6 years, indoors I presume, with only 1200 miles accumulated. It has the original fluids--engine oil, antifreeze, the whole bit. The car is out of warranty. Before committing to purchasing it, what time bombs, if any, should I be waiting for? Before driving the car I'm thinking it needs new tires and a total fluid change of every system. Any comments, recommendations please? Thanks.
Aside from regular maintenance, you should check the plastic and rubber pieces to see if there is any cracking from lack of being driven.
I think I know which M5 you are talking about. If it is a blue one then most likely it is the one that was owned by BMW NA. Change all the fluids! Car has been sitting around too long.
Thanks for the replies. I passed on the car, too many mysteries about it. Somebody apparently did eventually buy the car. That dealer isn't advertising it anymore. A few days after deciding to pass on the blue M5 I was in a BMW dealer lot looking at manual shift 335s (wanting in the worst way to get rid of my automatic 335) when a mechanic drives by in that very same M5. The salesman said, "You gotta see this car!" and I told him I'd already driven it. He said that they just took it in on a trade for a new 6 Series, they'd had it only an hour, and how could I have already driven it? Different car! This one had 30,800 miles on it and had full maintenance records showing completion of all required maintenance plus twice the required oil changes. It's now in our carport. We've put 4000 miles on it in a month, the car is averaging 23.5 mpg, and it is faster than... well, the 335i is a distant memory. Our 3 year old grandson has been confused. This is the 3rd BMW sedan we've had in the last 12 months and they've been very different colors. He really liked the Black car, a 545i, but I think he'll get used to the Blue Car. It's a keeper.
You'll continue to love it. I've had mine for almost 5 years, and it still puts a smile on my face every morning.
